Orthodontic settling retainer

ABSTRACT

A dental retainer including one or more of a retaining body having a plurality of dental impressions to receive teeth, a pair of passthrough openings adapted to allow passage of one or more molars, premolars, and canines, and an aperture disposed adjacent the lingual surface of the incisors.

This United States patent application is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/828,064, filed Nov. 30, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No.10,792,128, issued Oct. 6, 2020, hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A dental retainer including one or more of a retaining body having aplurality of dental impressions to receive teeth, a pair of passthroughopenings adapted to allow passage of one or more molars, premolars, andcanines, and an aperture disposed adjacent the lingual surface of theincisors.

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A broad object of the present invention is to provide a dental retainerhaving one or more of a retainer body having a plurality of dentalimpressions to receive respective teeth in a dental arch, a pair ofpassthrough openings in the retainer body adapted to correspondinglyallow passage of one or more molars, premolars, and canines through theretainer body, and an aperture in the retainer body disposed adjacentthe lingual surface of the incisors.

Another broad object of the present invention is to provide a method ofmaking a dental retainer including one or more of producing a retainerbody having a plurality of dental impressions to receive respectiveteeth in a dental arch, disposing a pair of passthrough openings in theretainer body adapted to correspondingly allow passage of one or moremolars, premolars, and canines through the retainer body, and disposingan aperture in the retainer body adjacent the lingual surface of theincisors.

Another broad object of the present invention is to provide a method ofusing a dental retainer including one or more of correspondinglydisposing teeth of a dental arch in a plurality of dental impressions ofa retainer body, correspondingly passing one or more molars, premolars,and canines in the dental arch through a pair of passthrough openings inthe retainer body, and disposing an aperture adjacent the lingualsurface of the incisors.

Naturally, further objects of the invention are disclosed throughoutother areas of the specification, drawings, photographs, and claims.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a particular embodiments of adental retainer for a maxillary dental arch.

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of a particular embodiment of a dentalretainer for a maxillary dental arch.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a particular embodiment of a dental retainerfor a maxillary dental arch.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a particular embodiment of a dentalretainer disposed on a maxillary dental arch.

FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of a particular embodiment of a dentalretainer disposed on a maxillary dental arch.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a particular embodiment of a dental retainerdisposed on a maxillary dental arch.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of particular methods of making a dental retainer.

FIG. 8 is a top view of another particular embodiment of a dentalretainer for a mandibular dental arch.

FIG. 9 is a back perspective view of a particular embodiment of a dentalretainer for a mandibular dental arch.

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a particular embodiment of adental retainer disposed on a mandibular dental arch.

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of a particular embodiment of adental retainer for a mandibular dental arch.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring generally to FIGS. 1 through 11 , a dental retainer (1) andmethods of making a dental retainer (1) can include producing a retainerbody (2) configured to receive the entirety or a portion of thedentition (3) of a dental arch (4). For purposes of this description,reference will first be made to a retainer body (2) produced to receivethe dentition (3) of the maxillary dental arch (4A). However, the methodof making a dental retainer (1) can, but need not necessarily, furtherapply to producing a retainer body (2) to receive the dentition (3) ofthe mandibular dental arch (4B).

Again, referring generally to FIGS. 1 through 7 , with primary referenceto FIG. 7 in particular embodiments, the method can include making anegative impression (5) of the dentition (3) (also referred to as“teeth”) of the maxillary dental arch (4A) in a dental impressionmaterial. The negative impression (5) provides a negative imprint of thedentition (3) of the maxillary dental arch (4A) and surrounding softtissues in the mouth. An example of a dental impression material usefulin embodiments of the method can include or consist of polyvinylsiloxane. The method can further include, producing a dental cast (6) orpositive reproduction of the maxillary dental arch (4A) and thesurrounding soft tissues can be made from the negative impression (5) ofthe maxillary dental arch (4A).

Again, referring primarily to FIG. 7 , in particular embodiments, theretainer body (2) can be produced by disposing a formable orthermoformable plastic (7) on the dental cast (6). The formable orthermoformable plastic (7) can be formed about the dental cast (6), andas to particular embodiments, one or more of heat (H), vacuum (V) orpressure (P) can be applied to the formable or thermoformable plastic(7) to allow or assist in forming the formable or thermoformable plastic(7) to the configuration of the dental cast (6). In particularembodiments, as the formable or thermoformed plastic (7) sets on thedental cast (6), rapid cooling can, but need not necessarily, beachieved by applying a coolant (C) to the retainer body (2), such as aflow of cool air or water.

Now referring primarily to FIGS. 1 through 3 and 7 , the resultingretainer body (2) includes a labial surface (8) opposite a lingualsurface (9). For purposes of this invention, the term “lingual” refersto a surface abutting or adjacent to (or direction towards) the tongue.For purposes of this invention, the term “labial” refers to a surfaceopposite the lingual surface adjacent to (or the direction towards) theinside of the cheek or lip. The retainer body (2) can have an outersurface (12) facing the mouth cavity and an inner surface (13) that isadjacent to, abuts or faces the dentition (3) of the dental arch (4) andhaving a plurality of dental impressions (10) to receive the respectiveteeth (3) in a dental arch (4). The resulting retainer body (2) can havea depth (14) defined by a distance between the outer surface (12) of theretainer body (2) disposed over the crowns (15) of the teeth (3) and theperipheral edge (18) of the retainer body (2) disposed over a portion ofthe gums (17) of the patient (as shown in the example of FIG. 1 ). Inparticular embodiments, the resulting retainer body (2) can be trimmedto establish the peripheral edge (18) while maintaining a peripheralmargin (16) which contacts the gums (17) and a portion of the palatewhen the teeth (10) are received in the retainer body (2) (as shown inthe examples of FIGS. 4 through 6 ) and extends to the peripheral edge(18), which in part traverses the palate to afford a palatal portion(55) of the retainer body (2), which overlays substantially the entiretyof the palate (as shown by broken line “PM” depicted in FIG. 1 ) oroverlays a portion of the palate (as shown in the example of FIGS. 4through 6 ).

Again, referring primarily to FIGS. 1 through 7 , the method of making adental retainer (1) can further include disposing at least one of a pairof passthrough openings (19) in the retainer body (2) (as shown in theillustrative examples of FIGS. 1 through 3 ), each of the pair ofpassthrough openings (19) can be adapted to correspondingly allowpassage of one or more molars (20), premolars (21), and canines (22) ofthe teeth (3) in the dental arch through the retainer body (2) (as shownin the example of FIGS. 4 through 6 ). The pair of passthrough openings(19) can include a first passthrough opening (23) adapted to allowpassage of one or more of the left maxillary molars (24), premolars (25)and canines (26). The pair of passthrough openings (19) can include asecond passthrough opening (27) adapted to allow passage of one or moreof the right maxillary molars (28), premolars (29) and canines (30).Particular embodiments can include only a first or only a secondpassthrough opening (23) or (27).

Now referring primarily to FIGS. 1 and 7 , in particular embodiments,the method can further include excising a first coronal portion (31) ofthe retainer body (2) overlaying one or more of the left maxillarymolars (24), premolars (25), and canines (26) of the teeth (3) in thedental arch (4) to generate a first passthrough periphery (32) whichdefines the first passthrough opening (23). In particular embodiments,the method can further include excising a second coronal portion (33) ofthe retainer body (2) overlaying one or more of the right maxillarymolars (28), premolars (29), and canines (30) of the teeth (10) in thedental arch (4) to generate a second passthrough periphery (34) whichdefines the second passthrough opening (27). A first and secondpassthrough periphery (32)(34) correspondingly defines the open areaeach of the pair of passthrough openings (19) in the retainer body (2);however, in particular embodiments, only the first coronal portion (31)may be excised to provide the first passthrough periphery (32) definingthe first passthrough opening (23) or only the second coronal portion(33) may be excised to provide the second passthrough periphery (34)defining the second passthrough opening (27).

Now referring primarily to FIGS. 4 through 6 , each of the first andsecond passthrough peripheries (32)(34) can have a labial passthroughperiphery (35) and a lingual passthrough periphery (36). In particularembodiments, the labial passthrough periphery (35) can, but need notnecessarily, be disposed in contact with labial surface of the one ormore molars (20), premolars (21), and canines (22) of the teeth (10) inthe dental arch (4A) which pass through the corresponding first orsecond passthrough opening (23)(27). The lingual passthrough periphery(36) can, but need not necessarily, be disposed to contact the lingualsurface of the one or more molars (20), premolars (21), and canines (22)of the teeth (3) in the dental arch (4A) which pass through thecorresponding first or second passthrough opening (23)(27). Inparticular embodiments, the labial passthrough periphery (35) or thelingual passthrough periphery (36), or both, can be disposed at the gumline (37) separating the gums (17) from the coronal part (38) of theteeth (10). In particular embodiments, the labial passthrough periphery(35) or the lingual passthrough periphery (36), or both, can be disposeda distance (39) from the gum line (37) to provide a gap (40) between thelabial passthrough periphery (35) or the lingual passthrough periphery(36) and the corresponding labial surface or lingual surface of the oneor more molars (20), premolars (21), and canines (22) of the teeth (10)in the dental arch (4A) which pass through the first or secondpassthrough opening (23)(27).

As one illustrative example, with reference to FIG. 4 , an embodimentcan dispose the labial passthrough periphery (35) on the labial surfaceof the one or more molars (20), premolars (21), and canines (22) of theteeth (10) in the dental arch (4A) which pass through the correspondingfirst or second passthrough opening (23)(27) to correspondingly overlaya passthrough periphery margin (41) over the labial surface of the oneor more molars (20), premolars (21), and canines (22) of the teeth (10)in the dental arch (4A).

Now referring primarily to FIG. 6 , the lingual passthrough periphery(36) can be disposed a distance (39) from the gum line (37) to provide agap (40) between the lingual passthrough periphery (36) and thecorresponding lingual surface of the one or more molars (20), premolars(21), and canines (22) of the teeth (3) in the dental arch (4A). As anillustrative example, the gap (40) can be sufficient to generallyprohibit contact of the lingual passthrough periphery (36) fromcontacting the lingual surface of the one or more molars (20), premolars(21), and canines (22) of the teeth (10) in the dental arch (4A).

Again, referring primarily to FIGS. 1 through 7 , particular methods ofmaking a dental retainer (1) can include disposing an aperture (42) inthe retainer body (2) to expose a portion of one or more of the upperincisors (43) (right maxillary lateral incisor (44), right maxillarycentral incisor (45), left maxillary central incisor (46), leftmaxillary lateral incisor (47)). The aperture (42) can be formed byexcising a third coronal portion (48) of the retainer body (2). Thethird coronal portion (48) can be defined as a portion of the retainerbody (2) overlaying in whole or in part the labial or lingual surfacesof the upper incisors (43) (or both the labial and lingual surfaces ofthe upper incisors). The excision of the third coronal portion (48)results in the configuration of an aperture periphery (49) which definesthe aperture (42). The aperture periphery (49) can have a labialaperture periphery (50) and a lingual aperture periphery (51). Inparticular embodiments, the labial aperture periphery (50) can bedisposed to contact the labial surface of the upper incisors (43) of theteeth (3) in the dental arch (4A) or the lingual aperture periphery (51)can be disposed to contact the lingual surface (9) of the upper incisors(43) of the teeth (3) in the dental arch (4A), or both. In furtherparticular embodiments, the labial aperture periphery (50) can bedisposed at or adjacent the gum line (37) of the labial surface of oneor more upper incisors (43) or the lingual aperture periphery (51) canbe disposed at or adjacent the gum line (37) of the lingual surface (9)of the one or more upper incisors (43), or both.

Now referring primarily to FIGS. 1 through 6 , in particularembodiments, the retainer body (2) can, but need not necessarily, beconfigured to overlay the labial and incisal surfaces (52) of the upperincisors (43) of the teeth (3) (as shown in the examples of FIGS. 4through 6 ). This can be achieved by excising the third coronal portion(48) (as shown in the example of FIG. 1 ) to dispose the aperture (42)over the lingual surface of the upper incisors (43) of the teeth (3) inthe dental arch (4A). The excision of the third coronal portion (48)defines a third coronal cap periphery (53) which correspondingly definesthe aperture periphery (49) that can include a lingual apertureperiphery (51) which can approach the gum line (17) or can contact thelingual surface of the upper incisors (43) and a labial apertureperiphery (50) which disposes the retainer body (2) at or over theincisal surfaces (52) of the upper incisors (43) of the teeth (3).

In particular embodiments, the aperture (42) can be adapted to allowcorresponding lower incisors (71)(as shown in the example of FIG. 11 )to contact the lingual surface of the upper incisors (43).

Now referring primarily to FIGS. 1 through 3 and 7 , in particularembodiments, the method of making a dental retainer (1) can furtherinclude trimming the retainer peripheral edge (18) to afford a palatalportion (55) of the retainer body (2) adapted to overlay substantiallythe entirety of the palate (as shown by broken line PM) or a part of thepalate of the mouth as shown in solid object line. As shown in theillustrative example of FIGS. 1 through 3 , the palatal portion (55) ofthe retainer body (2) can extend from the retainer peripheral edge (18)or (PM) to the aperture periphery (49) disposed on or adjacent thelingual surface of the one or more upper incisors (43) in the dentalarch (4A).

Now referring generally to FIGS. 1 through 7 , particular methods ofmaking a dental retainer (1) can include connecting one or more tethers(56) between a palatal portion (55) and a facial portion (58) of theretainer body (2). The palatal portion (55) can be defined as thatportion of the retainer body (2) configured to abut or lie adjacent thepalate of the mouth. The facial portion (58) can be defined as theportion of the retainer body (2) which abuts or is adjacent to thecheeks and lips. The one or more tethers (56) can, but need notnecessarily, be disposed interproximal, or on or proximate the lineangle or junction of adjacent teeth (10) in the dental arch (4A). In theillustrative example of FIGS. 3 through 6 , the method includesdisposing a pair of tethers (56) on or proximate the line angle orjunction of the premolars (21) and the canines (22) of the teeth (3).

In particular embodiments, the tether (56) can be an integral componentof a one piece retainer body (2) remaining after excision of the coronalportions (31)(33)(48) of the retainer body (2) as above described, or bediscrete components molded into the retainer body (2) by disposing theone or more tethers (56) over the dental cast (6) in a desired locationprior to forming the plastic (7) of the retainer body (2), or the tether(56) can be a discrete component attached or adhered to the retainerbody (2) after the coronal portions (31)(33)(48) have been excised fromthe retainer body (2). The one or more tethers (56) can comprise orconsist of: a fiber, a plastic, a metal, a laminate, a compositematerial or combinations thereof. In the illustrative embodiment ofFIGS. 3 through 6 , the one or more tethers (56) comprises a metal wirehaving opposed ends adhered respectively to the palatal portion (55) anda facial portion (58) of the retainer body (2) with an amount ofadhesive, such as a thermoplastic resin.

Now referring primarily to FIG. 7 , in particular embodiments, themethod of making a dental retainer (1) can include disposing a layer ofpolymer (65) over a dental cast (6) and the one or more tethers (56). Inparticular embodiments, the one or more tethers (56) can be disposedover the dental cast (6) in a desired location. The one or more tethers(56) can comprise a metal wire having opposed ends. The opposed ends ofthe one more tethers (56) can be disposed respectively on the palatalportion (55) and on the facial portion (58) of the dental cast (6). Alayer of curable polymer (65) can be disposed over the dental cast (6)and the one or more tethers (56) to form the retainer body (2). Aftercuring, the retainer body (2) can be disengaged from the dental cast(6). One or more of the first coronal portion (31), second coronalportion (33), and the third coronal portion (48) can be excised from theretainer body (2) to dispose the first passthrough periphery (32),second passthrough periphery (34), and aperture (42), respectively,those elements being previously described. The resulting retainer body(2) can further be trimmed to afford the retainer peripheral edge (18)

Again, referring generally to FIGS. 1 through 7 , with primary referenceto FIG. 7 , in particular embodiments, the method of making a dentalretainer (1) can include three-dimensional scanning or imaging (66) ofthe dental arch (4) using optical technologies such as: confocal lasermicroscopy, active wavefront sampling, accordion fringe inferometry, andoptical coherent tomography to generate a digital model (59) of a dentalarch (4A) or (4B).

In particular embodiments, the method can further include use of anadditive build up process, to produce a replica model (60) of a dentalarch (4A)(4B) which can be utilized as, or in substitution orreplacement of, the dental cast (6), above described, followed bydisposing thermoformable plastic (7) or by applying a layer of polymer(65) on the replica model (60) to form embodiments of the retainer body(2), as previously described. The term “additive build up process” forthe purposes of this invention means any process of layering one or morematerials to produce a three-dimensional object, and without limitingthe breadth of the foregoing, particular embodiments of the additivebuild up process can, but need not necessarily, include the conventionalprocess referred to as three-dimensional printing (“3D printing”) inwhich the three-dimensional object can be created from a digital model(59) using a three-dimensional materials deposition apparatus (61), suchas a three-dimensional printer, laying down successive layers of a buildmaterial (64).

The term “three dimensional object” for the purposes of this inventionmeans any configuration of a three-dimensional object and withoutlimiting the breadth of the forgoing includes replica models (60) of adental arch (4A)(4B) or embodiments of the dental retainer (1), as abovedescribed.

Again, referring primarily to FIG. 7 , particular embodiments caninclude a digital model (59), a three-dimensional materials depositionapparatus or materials printer (61), a materials deposition apparatuscontroller (62), and a dental retainer (1). The digital model (59)obtained by three-dimensional scanning or imaging (66) of the dentalarch (4) provides a data representation of the dental arch (4) to berendered in tangible form or from which the dental retainer (1) can bedirectly rendered in tangible form by operation of the three-dimensionalmaterials deposition apparatus (61) or materials printer.

Again, referring primarily to FIG. 7 , as to particular embodiments ofthe invention, a materials deposition apparatus controller (62) can runa three-dimensional object production application (63) which reads thedigital model files, accepts parameter and preference input from theuser, performs a series of detailed calculations and transmits to thethree-dimensional materials deposition apparatus (61) (which as toparticular embodiments can be a three dimensional printer such as a Form2350® available from Formlabs, Inc., or a three dimensional printerassembly as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,037,382, hereby incorporated byreference herein, or similar apparatus) commands and providesinformation needed to produce embodiments of the replica model (60) orembodiments of the dental retainer (1).

In particular, the three-dimensional object production application (63)may allow the user to arrange one or more digital models (59) in avirtual volume representing the actual fabrication space within thethree-dimensional materials deposition apparatus (61). Thethree-dimensional object production application (63) can then slice thearray of digital models (59) into a plurality of layers, each of apredetermined thickness, which are transmitted to control electronicshoused within the three-dimensional materials deposition apparatus (61).

Particular embodiments of the three-dimensional materials depositionapparatus (61) can, but need not necessarily, comprise athree-dimensional printer (61) having an array of jet type print headswhich deposit a binder liquid (67) onto successive layers of a buildmaterial (64). Where the binder liquid (67) combines with the buildmaterial (64), the powder reacts and hardens. By controlling theplacement of binder liquid (67) from these print heads, theconfiguration of the replica model (60) or dental retainer (1) can bephysically reproduced by an additive build up process. Further detailsof binding a build material (64) with a binder liquid (67) to form areplica model (60) or dental retainer (1) are disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,340,656 and 5,387,380, hereby incorporated by reference herein.

In particular embodiments, the build material (64) can comprisemethacrylic acid esters, or a combination of methacrylic acid esters andphosphine oxides as a photoinitiator which exposed to ultraviolet lightinitiates hardening of the methacrylic acid esters, for example, DentalSG Resin liquid available from Formlabs, Inc. A three-dimensional objectof the present invention, including embodiments of the replica model(60) of dental arch (4), or embodiments of the dental retainer (1), maybe built using these build materials (64) deposited in successive layersusing a three-dimensional printing system similar to various embodimentsof U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,658,314, 7,604,768 or 7,500,846, each herebyincorporated by reference herein.

In particular embodiments, the build material (64) can comprise aplastic filament. The plastic filament can, for example, compriseacrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polylactic acid (PLA) providedas strands of filament of about one millimeter to about threemillimeters in diameter that unwind from a coil or spool. Thethree-dimensional materials deposition apparatus (61) can comprise afused deposition modeling (FDM) or, more generally, fused filamentfabrication (FFF) printer. The plastic filament can be supplied to aprint head with an extrusion nozzle, such as a gear which pulls theplastic filament off the spool and into the extrusion nozzle. Theextrusion nozzle can be adapted to regulate flow between on and off. Theextrusion nozzle (or an upstream portion of the print head) is heated tomelt the plastic filament as it is passed into, or through, theextrusion nozzle so that it liquefies. The pointed extrusion nozzledeposits the liquefied material in lines (for example, in lines that areabout 0.1 millimeters across).

As to particular embodiments, the build material(s) (64) used in theadditive build up process of embodiments of the replica model (60) ordental retainer (1), when cured, can, but need not necessarily, haveShore A or Shore D hardness which falls in a wide range of hardnesses.The Shore A hardness can, as an example, be between about 40 to about100 or a Shore D harness of between about 0 and about 90. However, theabove illustrative Shore A or Shore D hardness or the resulting tensilestrength is not intended to preclude embodiments which fall outside ofthese ranges.

Now referring generally to FIGS. 4 through 6 , methods of using a dentalretainer (1) can include one or more of correspondingly disposing theteeth (3) of a dental arch (4A) in a plurality of dental impressions(10) of a retainer body (2), and correspondingly passing one or moremolars (20), premolars (21) and canines (22) of the teeth (3) in thedental arch (4A)(4B) through one or a pair of passthrough openings (19)in the retainer body (2). The methods can, but need not necessarily,include correspondingly disposing a first or second passthroughperiphery (32)(34) of one or the pair of passthrough openings (19) adistance from a lingual surface of the one or more molars (20),premolars (21) and canines (22) of the teeth (3) disposed in theretainer body (2). The method can, but need not necessarily, includedisposing an aperture (42) in the retainer body (2) over the lingualsurface of upper incisors (43) of the teeth (3) in the maxillary dentalarch (4A), the aperture (42) located to allow corresponding lowerincisors (43) to contact the lingual surface of the upper incisors (43).The method can, but need not necessarily, include disposing a tether(56) connecting a palatal portion (55) and a facial portion (58) of theretainer body (2) between a pair of the teeth (3) in the dental arch(4)(4A)(4B). In yet further embodiments, methods of using the dentalretainer (1) can include correspondingly disposing a pair of tethers(56) each connecting a palatal portion (55) and a facial portion (58) ofthe retainer body (2) between the premolars (21) and canines (22) of theteeth (3).

Now referring generally to FIGS. 8 through 11 , the above methods ofmaking a dental retainer (1) can be applied to the production of aretainer body (2) to receive the dentition (3) of the mandibular dentalarch (4B). Again, referring primarily to FIG. 7 , the method of making adental retainer (1) for the mandibular dental arch (4B) can includemaking a negative impression (5) of the dentition (3) of the mandibulardental arch (4B) and disposing formable plastic (7) over the dental cast(6) of the negative impression (5), as that process has been previouslydescribed herein.

Again, referring primarily to FIGS. 8 through 11 , the resultingretainer body (2) can have an outer surface (12) facing the mouth cavityand an inner surface (13) that is adjacent to, abuts or faces thedentition (3) of the dental arch (4). The resulting retainer body (2)can have a depth (14) (similar to the illustrative example of FIG. 1 )defined by a distance between the outer surface (12) of the retainerbody (2) disposed over the crowns (15) of the teeth (10) and theperipheral edge (18) of the retainer body (2) disposed over a portion ofthe gums (17). In particular embodiments, the resulting retainer body(2) can be trimmed to provide a peripheral edge (18) which contacts thegums (17) and a portion of the floor of the mouth below the tongue whenthe teeth (3) of the mandibular arch (4B) are received in the retainerbody (2) and extends to a peripheral edge (18).

Again referring to FIGS. 8 through 11 , the method of making a retainerbody (2) for the mandibular dental arch (4B) can further includedisposing a pair of passthrough openings (19) in the retainer body (2),each of the pair of passthrough openings (19) can be adapted tocorrespondingly allow passage of one or more mandibular molars (68),premolars (69), and canines (70) of the teeth (3) in the mandibulardental arch (4B) through the retainer body (2). The pair of passthroughopenings (19) can include a first passthrough opening (23) adapted toallow passage of one or more of the molars (68), premolars (69) andcanines (70) on the left side of the mandibular dental arch (4B). Thepair of passthrough openings (19) can include a second passthroughopening (27) adapted to allow passage of one or more of the mandibularmolars (68), premolars (69) and canines (70) of the right mandibulardental arch (4B). Particular embodiments can include only a first or asecond passthrough opening (23)(27). A detailed description of the firstor second passthrough opening (23)(27) has been provided above, and thatdescription can be applied to the retainer body (2) for the mandibulardental arch (4B).

Again, referring primarily to FIGS. 8 through 11 , particular methods ofmaking a dental retainer (1) for the mandibular dental arch (4B) canfurther include disposing an aperture (42) in the retainer body (2) toexpose a portion of one or more of the lower incisors (71). The aperture(42) can be formed by excising a third coronal portion (48) of theretainer body (2). The third coronal portion (48) can be defined as thatportion of the retainer body (2) overlaying the labial and lingualsurfaces of the lower incisors (71). The excision of the third coronalportion (48) results in the configuration of an aperture periphery (49)which defines the aperture (42). The aperture periphery (49) can have alabial aperture periphery (50) and a lingual aperture periphery (51). Inparticular embodiments, the labial aperture periphery (50) can be incontact with the labial surface of the lower incisors (68) of the teeth(10) in the dental arch (4B) or the lingual aperture periphery (51) canbe in contact with the lingual surface of the lower incisors (68) of theteeth (10) in the dental arch (4B), or both. In further particularembodiments, the labial aperture periphery (50) can be disposed at oradjacent the gum line (37) of the labial surface of one or more lowerincisors (71) or the lingual aperture periphery (51) can be disposed ator adjacent the gum line (37) of the lingual surface (9) of the one ormore lower incisors (68), or both. In particular embodiments, theaperture (42) can be adapted to allow corresponding upper incisors (43)to contact the lingual surface of the lower incisors (71). A detaileddescription of the aperture (42) has been provided above, and thatdescription can be applied to the retainer body (2) for the mandibulardental arch (4B).

Particular methods of making a dental retainer (1) for a mandibulardental arch (4B) can further include connecting one or more tethers (56)between a palatal portion (55) and a facial portion (58) of the retainerbody (2). The one or more tethers (56) can, but need not necessarily, bedisposed interproximal, on or proximate the line angle or junction ofadjacent teeth (3) in the dental arch (4B). In the illustrative exampleof FIGS. 3 through 6 the method includes disposing a pair of tethers(56) between the premolars (69) and the canines (70) of the teeth (3). Adetailed description of the tether (56) has been provided above, andthat description can be applied to the retainer body (2) for themandibular dental arch (4B).

Particular methods of making a dental retainer (1) for a mandibulardental arch (4B) can further include three-dimensional scanning orimaging (66) of the dental arch (4) using optical technologies such as:confocal laser microscopy, active wavefront sampling, accordion fringeinferometry, and optical coherent tomography to generate a digital model(59) of the mandibular dental arch (4B). The method can, but need notnecessarily, further include use of an additive build up process, toproduce a replica model (60) of a mandibular dental arch (4B) which canbe utilized as, or in substitution or replacement of, the dental cast(6) above described followed by disposing formable plastic (7) on thereplica model (60) to form embodiments of the retainer body (2), theprocess being described above.

Further particular embodiments can include a digital model (59), athree-dimensional materials deposition apparatus (61) or materialsprinter, a materials deposition apparatus controller (62), and a dentalretainer (1). The digital model (59), obtained by three-dimensionalscanning or imaging (66) of the mandibular dental arch (4B), provides adata representation of the dental arch (4B) to be rendered in tangibleform or from which the dental retainer (1) can be directly rendered intangible form by operation of the three-dimensional materials depositionapparatus (61) or materials printer, the process being described above.

As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts ofthe present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. Theinvention involves numerous and varied embodiments of a dental retainerand methods for making and using such dental retainer including the bestmode.

As such, the particular embodiments or elements of the inventiondisclosed by the description or shown in the figures or tablesaccompanying this application are not intended to be limiting, butrather exemplary of the numerous and varied embodiments genericallyencompassed by the invention or equivalents encompassed with respect toany particular element thereof. In addition, the specific description ofa single embodiment or element of the invention may not explicitlydescribe all embodiments or elements possible; many alternatives areimplicitly disclosed by the description and figures.

It should be understood that each element of an apparatus or each stepof a method may be described by an apparatus term or method term. Suchterms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitlybroad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example,it should be understood that all steps of a method may be disclosed asan action, a means for taking that action, or as an element which causesthat action. Similarly, each element of an apparatus may be disclosed asthe physical element or the action which that physical elementfacilitates. As but one example, the disclosure of a “retainer” shouldbe understood to encompass disclosure of the act of “retaining”—whetherexplicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectivelydisclosure of the act of “retaining”, such a disclosure should beunderstood to encompass disclosure of a “retainer” and even a “means forretaining.” Such alternative terms for each element or step are to beunderstood to be explicitly included in the description.

In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unlessits utilization in this application is inconsistent with suchinterpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood to beincluded in the description for each term as contained in the RandomHouse Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition, each definitionhereby incorporated by reference.

All numeric values herein are assumed to be modified by the term“about”, whether or not explicitly indicated. For the purposes of thepresent invention, ranges may be expressed as from “about” oneparticular value to “about” another particular value. When such a rangeis expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular valueto the other particular value. The recitation of numerical ranges byendpoints includes all the numeric values subsumed within that range. Anumerical range of one to five includes for example the numeric values1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, and so forth. It will be furtherunderstood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant bothin relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the otherendpoint. When a value is expressed as an approximation by use of theantecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular valueforms another embodiment. The term “about” generally refers to a rangeof numeric values that one of skill in the art would consider equivalentto the recited numeric value or having the same function or result.Similarly, the antecedent “substantially” means largely, but not wholly,the same form, manner or degree and the particular element will have arange of configurations as a person of ordinary skill in the art wouldconsider as having the same function or result. When a particularelement is expressed as an approximation by use of the antecedent“substantially,” it will be understood that the particular element formsanother embodiment.

Moreover, for the purposes of the present invention, the term “a” or“an” entity refers to one or more of that entity unless otherwiselimited. As such, the terms “a” or “an”, “one or more” and “at leastone” can be used interchangeably herein.

Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to claim at least: i) eachof the dental retainers herein disclosed and described, ii) the relatedmethods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and evenimplicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) thosealternative embodiments which accomplish each of the functions shown,disclosed, or described, v) those alternative designs and methods whichaccomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplishthat which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, andstep shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applicationsenhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) theresulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) methodsand apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and withreference to any of the accompanying examples, x) the variouscombinations and permutations of each of the previous elementsdisclosed.

The background section of this patent application provides a statementof the field of endeavor to which the invention pertains. This sectionmay also incorporate or contain paraphrasing of certain United Statespatents, patent applications, publications, or subject matter of theclaimed invention useful in relating information, problems, or concernsabout the state of technology to which the invention is drawn toward. Itis not intended that any United States patent, patent application,publication, statement or other information cited or incorporated hereinbe interpreted, construed or deemed to be admitted as prior art withrespect to the invention.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in thisspecification are herein incorporated in their entirety by referenceinto the specification, to the same extent as if each individualpublication, patent or patent application was specifically andindividually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. Inaddition, citation or identification of any reference in thisapplication shall not be construed as an admission that such referenceis available as prior art to the present invention.

The claims set forth in this specification, if any, are herebyincorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention,and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or aportion of such incorporated content of such claims as additionaldescription to support any of or all of the claims or any element orcomponent thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves theright to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of suchclaims or any element or component thereof from the description into theclaims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for whichprotection is sought by this application or by any subsequentapplication or continuation, division, or continuation-in-partapplication thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in feespursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations ofany country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shallsurvive during the entire pendency of this application including anysubsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part applicationthereof or any reissue or extension thereon.

Additionally, the claims set forth in this specification, if any, arefurther intended to describe the metes and bounds of a limited number ofthe preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construedas the broadest embodiment of the invention or a complete listing ofembodiments of the invention that may be claimed. The applicant does notwaive any right to develop further claims based upon the description setforth above as a part of any continuation, division, orcontinuation-in-part, or similar application.

I claim:
 1. A method of making a dental settling retainer, comprising:producing a retainer body having a plurality of dental impressionsincluding a labial surface opposite a lingual surface to receiverespective teeth in a dental arch, said retainer body formed inone-piece; and disposing a pair of passthrough openings on oppositesides in said retainer body, wherein each of said pair of passthroughopenings being adapted to correspondingly allow passage of a pluralityof molars, premolars or canines of said teeth in said dental archthrough said retainer body, each of said pair of passthrough openingsdefined by a lingual passthrough periphery configured to provide a gapbetween said lingual passthrough periphery and a gum line of a lingualsurface of said plurality of molars, premolars, or canines of said teethin said dental arch upon receiving said plurality of said teeth in saidretainer body, said gap configured to prohibit contact of said lingualpassthrough periphery with a lingual surface of said plurality ofmolars, premolars, or canines.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising disposing said passthrough periphery in contact with saidlabial surface of said plurality of molars, premolars, or canines ofsaid teeth in said dental arch.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising disposing an aperture in said retainer body, said aperturedisposed adjacent a lingual surface of upper incisors of said teeth insaid dental arch, said aperture adapted to allow corresponding lowerincisors to contact said lingual surface of said upper incisors.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, further comprising extending said retainer body overincisal surfaces of said upper incisors of said teeth in said dentalarch; and terminating said retainer body at said aperture periphery ofsaid aperture disposed adjacent said lingual surface of upper incisorsof said teeth in said dental arch.
 5. The method of claim 4, furthercomprising extending a palatal portion of said retainer body to saidaperture periphery of said aperture disposed adjacent said lingualsurface of upper incisors of said teeth in said dental arch.
 6. Themethod of claim 3, further comprising connecting one or more tethersbetween a palatal portion and a facial portion of said retainer body,said one or more tethers located between a pair of said teeth in saiddental arch.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprisingcorrespondingly disposing a pair of tethers between said premolars andsaid canines of said teeth.
 8. A method of making a dental settlingretainer, comprising: producing a retainer body having a plurality ofdental impressions including a labial surface opposite a lingual surfaceto receive respective teeth in a dental arch, said retainer body formedin one piece; disposing a pair of passthrough openings on opposite sidesin said retainer body, each of said pair of passthrough openings beingadapted to correspondingly allow passage of a plurality of molars,premolars, or canines of said teeth in said dental arch through saidretainer body, each of said passthrough openings defined by a labialpassthrough periphery and a lingual passthrough periphery, either saidlabial passthrough periphery or said lingual periphery disposed adistance away from a lingual surface or a labial surface of saidplurality of molars, premolars, or canines of said teeth in said dentalarch upon receiving said plurality of said teeth in said retainer body,said distance configured to prohibit contact of said labial passthroughperiphery from contacting said labial surface of said plurality ofmolars, premolars, or canines or said distance configured to prohibitcontact of said lingual passthrough periphery from contacting saidlingual surface of said plurality of molars, premolars, or canines. 9.The method of claim 8, further comprising extending said retainer bodyover incisal surfaces of said upper incisors of said teeth in saiddental arch; and terminating said retainer body at an aperture peripheryof said aperture disposed adjacent said lingual surface of upperincisors of said teeth in said dental arch.
 10. The method of claim 9,further comprising extending a palatal portion of said retainer body tosaid aperture periphery of said aperture disposed adjacent said lingualsurface of upper incisors of said teeth in said dental arch.
 11. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising disposing either said labialpassthrough periphery in contact with said labial surface of saidplurality of molars, premolars, or canines of said teeth in said dentalarch while said lingual passthrough periphery is disposed the distance,or disposing said lingual passthrough periphery in contact with saidlingual surface of said plurality of molars, premolars or canines ofsaid teeth in said dental arch while said labial passthrough peripheryis disposed the distance.
 12. The method of claim 8, further comprisingconnecting one or more tethers between a palatal portion and a facialportion of said retainer body, said one or more tethers located betweena pair of said teeth in said dental arch.
 13. The method of claim 12,further comprising correspondingly disposing a pair of tethers betweensaid premolars and said canines of said teeth.
 14. A method of using adental settling retainer, comprising: correspondingly disposing teeth ofa dental arch in a plurality of dental impressions of a retainer body;said retainer body formed in one piece; correspondingly passing aplurality of molars, premolars or canines of said teeth in said dentalarch through a pair of passthrough openings disposed on opposite sidesin said retainer body, each of said pair of pass through openingsdefined by a lingual passthrough periphery or a labial passthroughperiphery, configured to provide a gap between said lingual passthroughperiphery or labial passthrough periphery and a gum line of a lingualsurface or labial surface of said plurality of molars, premolars, orcanines of said teeth in said dental arch upon receiving said teeth insaid retainer body, said gap configured to prohibit contact of saidlingual passthrough periphery with said lingual surface of saidplurality of molars, premolars, or canines or configured to prohibitcontact of said labial passthrough periphery with said labial surface ofsaid plurality of molars, premolars, or canines.
 15. The method of claim14, further comprising either correspondingly disposing said labialpassthrough periphery of said pair of passthrough openings in contactwith said labial surface of said plurality of molars, premolars, orcanines of said teeth in said dental arch while said lingual passthroughperiphery is provided with the gap or correspondingly disposing saidlingual passthrough periphery of said pair of passthrough openings incontact with said lingual surface of said plurality of molars,premolars, or canines of said teeth in said dental arch while saidlabial passthrough periphery is provided with the gap.
 16. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising disposing an aperture in said retainer bodyadjacent a lingual surface of upper incisors of said teeth in saiddental arch, said aperture located to allow corresponding lower incisorsto contact said lingual surface of said upper incisors.
 17. The methodof claim 16, further comprising extending said retainer body overincisal surfaces of said upper incisors of said teeth in said dentalarch, said retainer body terminating at said aperture periphery of saidaperture disposed adjacent said lingual surface of upper incisors ofsaid teeth in said dental arch.
 18. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising disposing an aperture periphery of said aperture disposedadjacent said lingual surface of upper incisors of said teeth in saiddental arch.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising disposing atether connecting a palatal portion and a facial portion of saidretainer body between a pair of said teeth in said dental arch.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, further comprising correspondingly disposing a pairof tethers each connecting a palatal portion and a facial portion ofsaid retainer body between said premolars and said canines of saidteeth.